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Monday, October 18, 2010

Sew Tina Blog Tour (+ giveaway!)

Happy Monday, everyone! I am very excited to be hosting today's stop on the Sew Tina! blog tour. (For the full tour schedule, see here.) Sew Tina! is the new book by designer Tina Givens, known by many for her fabric collections (including her newest line, Opal Owl) and her sewing patterns.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tina at Quilt Market in Minneapolis last Spring, and was pleasantly surprised to hear that she lives right here in Raleigh, NC, with me! (Well, she doesn't live with me, but you know what I mean.) Tina was very gracious in answering my questions about her newest endeavor, and I know you will enjoy the brief interview below.

Tina was also very gracious in offering a giveaway prize to one lucky reader. The Tina Givens prize pack pictured below includes a copy of the book, 4 yards (!) of Tina's fabric with which to make some of the book's fabulous projects, 2 boxes of stationery, and 2 bonus sewing patterns.

Sound good? Details for entering the giveaway are at the bottom of this post.

Congratulations on the release of your first book! Was writing a book something you have always aspired to do?

Yes but never thought it would be a project book for anything including sewing projects. I thought I'd write a crazy novella or short story genius... even though I never excelled in writing... Anyway, but thought I'd do something in print! I am thrilled about this book though it was an enormous journey for me and a growth experience.....

Who did you have in mind as your audience as you were writing Sew Tina? Who will this book appeal to?

Oh the book will appeal to anyone who sews or who is learning to sew, and anyone who wants to sew something for children.... it's also a sort of reminder to stitchers everywhere, to relax and live with the mistakes you make in the project. I have a non-traditional sort of relaxed take on sewing because of time, energy, and a no worries attitude... just sew because you enjoy it and you're making something special and fun for someone you love....

Your book has a primary focus on projects for children. Are you especially inspired by children? Why are these types of projects your favorite to make & design?

I seem to gravitate to children for their playfulness, innocence and freedom of speech..... lol, my kids say the cutest things and they are honest and truthful.... Their energy inspires me too which seems to translate into full, swingy pieces with energy and color. I love to paint my little creatures for kids too, a few of which are in the book... bunnies and race cars, little crowned chics and everything crazy like a hippo on a unicycle. Happy imagery.... I do create for adults too, but this was a nice first... maybe adult things would be next... we shall see....

Is there a particular project in the book that you would say is representative of the overall feel of the book? Which one? Which is your favorite? And which one(s) are geared towards beginning sewists?

The Moses basket and canopy perhaps.... because it's beautiful and it's fun. A twist off the original rattan basket lined in fabric... the whole basket is made of your favorite fabric for the little bundle of life and love. The canopy because it is magical and can be made for any kid any age.... my 8 year old has one in her room! Don't just hang it over the baby on the changing table, bassinet, moses basket or crib, but make it a tea tent for kids to have a tea party within ~ on cushions of course! I have many other favorites of course! Are they representative of the book? Maybe with their simple make-anything you desire attitude... it's magical but yet doable!

Anything is doable for a beginning sewer in this book. However start small and grow from there.... the booties, the hats, then make the canopy... yes it's simple and beautiful ~ you'll be so proud. For the bigger kids start with the Zig Zag dress, craft apron and the beret.... The sewing techniques are simple, truly, just follow the directions and the illustrations will guide you. Don't be intimidated by any project in this book...

You are known by many as a fabric designer. How would you describe your overall design aesthetic?

I am sure eclectic comes to mind for most people. I seem to fuse many different techniques from hand drawn, hand watercolored art; I inject a little detailed ink into some works, and then meld everything using technology. Then begin injecting the pieces with unique color combinations.... each collection always begins with the first color palette whatever that may be for the collection itself. Then I develop the next 3 or 4 palettes that seem to create a whole new look but being careful not to deviate from the original story. I am not a perfectionist thank goodness or I would never get a collection out the door, it's too complicated and detailed to second guess... at some point you have to say, ok it's done. And I do get to that point eventually. Inspiration is pulled from a childhood spent in Africa within a creative and big family, to a cultural change in Northern American society to my current life with friends, children, travel and everything I read and see. I appreciate both modern, vintage and some traditional design so it all seems to combine into one big concoction in my mind that somehow translates in some form....

What is your design process like? Are your designs completely hand-painted before you take them to the computer?

I begin with an idea and can be inspired by many things... but it starts eventually with one idea. I am starting a new collection and it's beginning with a childhood book I used to read and reread with passion... I just reacquired the book after years and years (I last saw the book at the age of about 9) and was amazed at the watercolor illustration and the story (including a sewing machine and a magic dress!!!). It's amazing what our mind remembers without us even knowing it.... So then I start sketching in pencil and a few specifics start to form. I then start to paint the different pieces, and some I use together and some are strong enough to stand on their own. I begin scanning into the computer system and the design process begins. I build the patterns and repeats and get to a point where I have to reduce the paint chip colors. This was the toughest part for me for a long time. Reducing the color from thousands of colors to within the print screening limitation of a maximum of 16 colors. That's it... and for other fabric types like laminate and linen it's less than that.... This is tough for me because when I paint in watercolor I build a transition in color and shade to create depth in my subjects. That means there's many different 'pinks' for instance, and then we must reduce those colors without losing the depth. Sometimes it just simply doesn't work and I have to try something else. Adding a layer of ink, outline a piece, add a color... or begin again with that particular print.

The process after that is tedious and takes weeks and weeks to get back in 'strike-off' form which is like a proof of the textile. It is returned once the mill engraves the design, prints with the specified color chips which I detail, in fabric form. In some cases I am immediately pleased.... and in some cases I am horrified.... and we have to tweak color, depth, and so on. It's a long process and I do enjoy it.

Can you tell us a little bit about your adorable new line, Opal Owl? It seems that the fabric line and the book will complement one another nicely. Would you agree?

Oh, I never thought about that... yes, I think so actually. When I released Opal Owl at the quilt market we re-created all the pieces in the book including the Moses basket in the new collection. And everything turned out beautiful... so I am ecstatic that the timing for this flavorful, kid oriented collection is now available at the same time as the book. In fact we are working on images to display on out site to encourage the use of Opal Owl because the projects looks so great. And the fact that there's a soft book panel in Opal Owl telling a story of friendship also encourages making for little ones... big yeah!

What's next for Tina Givens?

Well, I am working on that new fabric collection (working title: Miss. Z.), I am playing with a Christmas collection because I am working with Department 56 in creating 3-dimensional ornaments of characters and glass patterned balls. I have a very busy stationery collection, Cid Pear which keeps me occupied and I would love to tackle wallpaper ~ wouldn't that be fun? I am also brainstorming for a new book ~ adult clothing and accessories or maybe just accessories or perhaps another kid collection..... we shall see!

Thanks John, I am happy to answer your lovely questions. And thanks again for having me on your blog. I hope the book makes people happy and that they explore and encourage their own creativity.

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Many thanks to Tina and to Lark Books for hosting such a great book tour. If you would like to enter to win the prize pack, simply leave a comment on this post. Are you a fan of Tina's work? Did you learn something new about Tina today? Of course, you can always just say "hi"! I'll leave the giveaway open until this Friday, 10/22, after which a winner will be chosen at random from the comments.

And please be sure to check out the next stop on the tour, over at Hodge Podge Farm.

I did not know Tina before. Love the notion of sewing children's goodies. No little ones in my family so I need to get out and find a little girl to sew for! My own little girl is in her 40s but I loved sewing for her when she was small. Very well dressed little one!

Wow! I hadn't seen Tina's work before today, except for the name of her Opal Owls fabric line- but I am impressed! It's also really nice to learn more about her through your excellent interview!! And I love that little stuffed owl...... This book is absolutely going on my wish list!!

What a great giveaway. I didn't know that Tina had other (non-fabric) ventures such as stationary. How fun! I loved the Olivia's Holiday line and have the full half yard set sitting in my stash waiting to be used... Now if I could just bring myself to cut into it. :)

I loved learning about how Tina does her color palette. Starting with an original palette and then adding to it but making sure not to deviate from the original. I think knowing that will help me to pick fabrics when I am making a quilt. Thanks!

I started to fall in love with Tina's fabric within the last month---she is definitely unique in her designing and I really enjoy her for that reason:) She will only be about an hr away from me soon--how neat is that!

Loved reading about the book and inspirations! This book looks fabulous....one that I will definitely be wanting to add to my collection. Thank you for the amazing giveaway and the chance to win! Oh, and the fabrics are gorgeous!!!

I fogot to mention....that I'm so glad Tina is not living there in your home and you had not noticed her being there.....what a relief. Can you imagine what size house you would have to have to have another creative person living there and not notice them? Perhaps the Hearst Castle!!!LOL

I love Tina's creative process, which I read about here today. Her fabrics are beautiful, and I like that she has a lot of projects geared toward children, since I am having a little one of my own in January.

Love Tina's designs . . . and I am very interested in the Moses baskets as my niece is having twins due in early April 2011! John, thanks for histing the giveaway. I always enjoy reading about and seeing what you've been sewing.

been drooling over this book and fabric for weeks now. everything is so gorgeous!lovely interview, too. thanks for that. :)i especially enjoy learning about her fabric design process. it's always so interesting to see how artists from different backrounds take their thoughts to fabric.

Thanks for the great interview! It's always nice to read about the designer process and what inspires them. I'd love to win this package; I've got 10 grandchildren to sew for now. They have each gotten the baby quilt, but I'd like to start with outfits especially for the girls.

This is such a lovely giveaway! I love that Tina says that it is okay to live with the mistakes you make in your projects...of course, I am my own worst critic and am always finding little mistakes, but these give our projects character, right? :)

Even though I don't know any little ones, I would love to win for the chance of having new patterns and fabric. I have heard Tina's name, but now I know a little bit about her - Love her line! It also makes things a bit more personal.

Ooh, I love Tina Givens' fabric! I tend to get obsessed with a few fabrics from each of her collections and order them in every colour way. Her colours are so vibrant and unique and the painterly quality of her finished fabrics always blows me away. Anyway, please, please random generator, pick me! pick me!

Oh thank you for the chance! I LOVE Tina's fabric! I have sewn up quite a bit of it in the past but I do not currently have much in my stash. I NEED more! I would LOVE to have the book and try some of her patterns. Thank you so much.

I really loved reading her interview. The steps that she goes through to create her designs is so unique :) I always buy fabrics with my daughter in mind... thinking she'd look cute in this made into a skirt or this as a top... but because I've never sewn clothes, they sit and stare at me! It would be reeeally nice to win this so I can finally sew something for my daughter!!

I did not know Tina's work, but her relaxed approach sounds great! And the fabric seems to be totally what I would like to work with :-)Thank you for the give awayDaniela from France(I'm reposting, because I'm not sure if my first try worked...)

Eeek, isn't Tina just awesome? I remember being with you when you when we met her (actually, I think you had already talked to her but I was meeting her first the first time) and we were talking about twins. She is just so super-sweet and I would love to get my mitts on her book!

Lovely interview. I really enjoyed reading it. I adore Tina Givens. I have some Olivia's Holiday fabric here that I'm hoarding. Haven't decided what to make with it yet, but the book definitely gives me some inspiration.

Thanks to both of you for this spot on the blog tour. It was interesting to learn something new about the 16 color limitation vs the watercolors that Tina uses for design. Also, will look forward to seeing Opal Owls project examples on her site. It is an adorable collection from photos have seen.

What a lovely interview! Very inspiring. Of course I 'knew' Tina from her fabric designs but learn all this about her is wonderful! I also did not know she had a book and now I need the book. Badly. I'm more than happy to pay the costs for shipping to Europe if I win! :)

Hi!I didn't know that Tina creates Christmas ornaments! can't wait to see. And wallpapers!!! wow! that's what I thought-why she has not done it yet? her Treetop Fancy Chacha fabric collection and Opal Owl would look great as wallpaper. Wishing her lots of fun creating!cutie_goodies@yahoo.com

Thank you for opening my eyes to Tina. Never before heard of this designer or book but it looks great. The interview is wonderful. I often imagined the life and inspiration of a designer. Thank you for this opportunity. rpshandATnsDOTsympaticoDOTca

Didn't know this fabric before - it is just what I like - I like her word to describe her fabric designs as eclectic/vintage - I can see my own tastes in those words with the fabric I tend to gravitate towards. I hope I win some of this wonderful fabric.

Ooh, I'm very curious about the Moses basket pattern! I've got an old worn-out one that my girls have slept in, but to make one out of fabric? Yummy! I will be looking for Tina's book if I don't win it. :)